Akron teacher fired over racially insensitive post

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David Spondike (Photo from Akron Schools)

Akron teacher fired over racially insensitive post

David Spondike (Photo from Akron Schools)

AKRON, Ohio — A spokesperson for Akron Public Schools confirmed a teacher was fired after posting comments on Facebook that the school board considered to be racist and derogatory.

David Spondike, a Firestone High School music teacher, made the post on his personal page in October after he saw teenagers urinating near his front yard.

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The school board on Monday accepted a referee’s 18-page decision that determined the posting violated the district’s staff conduct and social media policies.

School board members had also reached a decision to fire Spondike prior to the referee’s ruling.

Spondike was not at the meeting.

In a letter to the district sent in November, Spondike admitted to posting the comment and wrote in defense of his rights. It said in part:

“I take full responsibility for the postings on Facebook which were done in a moment of anger and with unnecessary haste. Follow-up postings were done in answer to responses that I received from the first posting. I take full responsibility for the language used and which has resulted in acrimonious comments from citizens in Akron. It is, however, my position that I have the right to use such language in explaining my feelings about the general state of the community in Akron. These remarks were in no way directed at the Akron School District or, to my knowledge, any person involved in the district.”

Spondike’s personnel file indicated he had been with the district since 1998.